Press

Please click here for full document.  Should you wish to read the content of the General Tariff Application submitted to the Board on June 15, 2011 please click GTA.

For Immediate Release

Natural gas retains its substantial cost advantage over other fuel sources

Halifax, Nova Scotia (June 15, 2011) – Heritage Gas is filing a general tariff application (“GTA”) today
with the NSUARB. The GTA is required under the Gas Utilities Act of Nova Scotia when Heritage Gas is
asking for an increase in rates charged to its customers to cover the cost of delivery service.
Heritage Gas bills to customers have two components. The delivery service portion covers the cost of
building, operating and maintaining the natural gas distribution system. The bill also includes the cost
of natural gas supply, which is at cost without markup. Natural gas supply charges on the bill are not
regulated by the NSUARB.

Since the company’s inception in 2003, distribution rates have been set at levels that are less than what
is required to recover the full cost of service, with the shortfall in the recovery of the revenue
requirement being deferred to a Revenue Deficiency Account (“RDA”). This RDA mechanism allows time
for Heritage Gas’ “greenfield” distribution system to develop. This mechanism has been used in other
jurisdictions where, like in Nova Scotia, the development of distribution infrastructure has been
financed by mainly private rather than public investment.

 For Immediate Release

“Heritage Gas focused on delivering more natural gas to more Nova Scotians at a competitive cost”

Halifax, Nova Scotia  (June 6, 2011) – In an address to OTANS members today, Jim Bracken, President of Heritage Gas Limited, said the eight-year old company is delivering over $30 million in annual savings to customers who use natural gas. 

“Our customers have reduced their energy bills by 35% to 60%.” said Bracken.  “In addition, by choosing natural gas our customers reduced CO2 emissions by over 108,000 tonnes to the end of 2010. That’s like taking 21,000 vehicles from Nova Scotia’s highways.”

Since the Nova-Scotia based company was formed in 2003, Heritage Gas has invested $140 million on 270 km of infrastructure, delivering natural gas to over 3,000 residential, commercial and institutional customers. To date, natural gas is available in parts of Halifax, Dartmouth, Amherst, and Halifax International Airport, and the company is focused on continuing to grow its customer base.

Mr. Bracken said, “We continue to invest more and deliver more natural gas to more customers, which will allow more homes and businesses to benefit from natural gas.” 

Halifax, Nova Scotia (24 February, 2011) - Heritage Gas Ltd. (Heritage Gas) announced today it has reached the 3,000 customer milestone for natural gas delivery in Nova Scotia.   The 3,000 customer is an apartment owner in the Clayton Park area of the Halifax Regional Municipality.

“We are pleased that customer 3,000 is located in the recently completed Fairview, Clayton Park, Bedford expansion area.   New access to natural gas service for this customer and others supports the future growth of our distribution network.” said Jim Bracken, President of Heritage Gas. “We would not be here today without the ongoing support of our customers, thank you. We look forward to serving our new and  existing customers and providing a lower cost, cleaner energy choice for today, and the years ahead.”

Heritage Gas announced in October that it had completed its natural gas pipeline construction to Bedford. Heritage Gas’ largest project to-date, the expansion added 30 kilometres of new pipelines to the natural gas distribution system and provided the foundation for further expansion into these growing communities over the next several years.